A Safe House

34

Charlayne Cole, a woman of indeterminate age, known to all as Charlie, sank into Stone’s office sofa and dug out a legal pad from her voluminous purse.

“Okay, what am I here for?” she demanded. Charlie always sounded as if she had no time to talk.

“It’s fairly straightforward, Charlie,” Stone replied. “I’d like you to bring a dead person back to life.”

“I can do that,” Charlie said. “Do I get to pick the dead person?”

“Alas, no. She has already been chosen.”

“A girl, eh? They’re easier to resurrect than guys.”

“If you say so. Her name is Jenna Jacoby.”

“The dead model whose ex, the senator, offed her? No problem.”

“I should point out, though, that the woman murdered in the car explosion was her sister, Jamie.”

“So, the dead one is still alive? Piece of cake.”

“You may recall that the AP wire moved the original story. It made every paper and TV show in the country, and a lot abroad.”

“Right. We’ll want to move it exactly the same way, so the same people who think she’s dead won’t anymore.”

“There’s a wrinkle, though.”

“There’s always a wrinkle,” Charlie said. “Wrinkles are my specialty. What’s hers?”

“Well, apparently, a large portion of those who heard the story, or read it, came away with the impression that her ex had offed her, as you so felicitously put it.”

“Right, so we sort of have to apologize to the guy, so he won’t sue my client.”

“Sort of. He is, by no means, guilt-free, but since Jenna is alive, neither did he actually cause her death.”

“But he did cause her sister’s death?”

“He did, but we are not yet ready to establish that as a fact in a libel suit in a court of law.”

“I’ll concentrate on who he didn’t off, then. And we’ll leave poor Jamie for next time.”

“You are so perspicacious, Charlie,” Stone said.

“I’ll take that as a compliment, even though I have no idea what it means.”

“It’s a compliment.”

“What other points do I need to make?”

“In the first round, let’s concentrate on the non-dead part of the story, with a mention that the lady is in seclusion and will have no further comment until an unspecified later date.”

“Smart! Keep ’em hanging.”

“Then, when that later time comes, she will answer every pending question, so that we can say there will be nothing further to be said on the subject.”

“Perfect! I’ll get her on 60 Minutes and flog the promos half to death.”

“You can get her on 60 Minutes?”

“Are you kidding? When I get through with them, they’ll be begging for a glimpse of her ankle.”

“How will you do that?”

“I’ll force them to put her on, maybe for the whole show.”

“I don’t think she’ll have that much to say. I’ll settle for a whole segment.”

“You don’t start negotiations with a settlement on your lips. Trust me to get it done. How’s the kid looking?”

“Let’s find out,” Stone said, pressing Joan’s button. “Will you send in Jenna?” he asked.

“Here she comes!”

The door behind Stone’s desk was flung open, and Jenna swept into the room, in much the same way that the late Loretta Young had on her old TV show.

“Jenna, this is Charlie Cole, your new publicist.”

“How do you do?”

“Get your ass over here, kiddo. Let’s get a good look at you.”

Jenna approached the sofa, and Charlie tilted the lampshade to bathe her in light. “She’ll do,” Charlie said. “Congratulations, sweetie, we’re going to reintroduce you to the world!”

“She’s already been photographed for a future Vogue by Harry Benson, for a mother/daughter special issue.”

“As the daughter, I hope.”

“No, as the mother, but a beautiful one, though.”

“I wish I’d gotten my hands on Harry before it was shot. I’ll make him give me a gander at the negative, so we can see what’s what.”

“I don’t think they have negatives anymore, Charlie,” Stone said.

“You know what I mean. I’ll see that she looks great.”

“I know you will.”

Charlie walked around Jenna. “So, Wally didn’t off you, huh?”

“Nope.”

“Sorry about your sister.”

“Thank you.”

“Now, Charlie, when can you get started?”

“How about three seconds from now? Three seconds work for you?”

“I can do three seconds.”

“Three, two, one, you got some bedrooms upstairs, right? I need to get Jenna in one, sit her down, and explain things to her.”

“She’s leaving town for an undisclosed location tomorrow,” Stone said. “She’s all yours until then.”

“Key West, I assume? Good choice, Stone. It’s where I’d send her.” She grabbed Jenna by the wrist and marched her through the door, slamming it behind her.

Joan came into Stone’s office. “Was that live or recorded?” she asked.

“Live from my office,” Stone replied.

“I’ve never heard anything like it!”

“Stick around. Charlie is just getting started.”